solid state vs tubes

Are we going to debate whether tube gear is reliable?

Well, I'm always willing to root for the underdog...

But, people don't buy tube gear for the dependability. And people don't switch to solid state because tubes are too reliability.

09-23-10: Hifisoundguy
Tvad, tube gear has reliability issues..bad solder joints, tubes that only last for a short time and sometimes you buy brand new tubes that are already bad, capacitors blowing out and loud poping noises that come and go at any time.

Bad solder joints, capacitors blowing out, loud popping noises that come and go at any time is a load of baloney. It's not an issue with tube amps, but perhaps with badly made junk of either tube or solid state topology.

In fact, tube amps are quite easy for a qualified technician to repair in the event of a rare bad solder joint.

Tubes that only last a short time and new tubes that are already bad are rare unless the tubes are already old and beyond their lifespan, or they are new production tube from a bad batch. Even this is rare, and the bad brands and models quickly make it into the forums where people can learn about them. New production tubes from China are of excellent quality as are the majority of tubes from the Eastern bloc.

Of course, tubes have a limited lifespan. It's part of the deal. If one doesn't want the maintenance involved with replacing tubes, then one should look to solid state or chip amps.

It seems to me you're making a doomsday case for tube equipment with little or no evidence to support your argument.

If you have specific examples, please share them.

I was going to tell an inside story about the Manley TNT when this thread started as a another tube/SS debate but that was not the OP's intent. Not supposed to know that anyhow.

Don't know if the tube amps I've known have been rolled off on upper frequencies or the better SS amps have been too "hot" but I tend toward the former. Consider that the higher frequency harshness that you're sensing may not be frequency related as much as time related, as if that helps. Different animal, different habitat.

As far as the Plinius, it does have the switch to run in A/B when not used or for casual listening. The "laid-back" soundstage might be a big adjustment from vintage tubes or, for that matter, vintage SS. Guaranteed it's a better match for the 1.6's than the old VTL 120.

MrTennis,
As a long time Magnepan guy, part of your issue with the 1.6s may be more setup than the speaker itself.
At one point I was tweaking the toe every couple days. Bad image here or too bright or whatever.
Finally, in reading around, I found out that Magnepan SWAPPED SIDES on me in the mid-90s. Yep, you are probably listening to the mylar side, with the connection plate and fuse in BACK where you can't see it. You may even have the tweeters out. I think that's what the 'book' calls for. My MG-1s were mylar back and it never occurred to me that Magnepan changed that......My 1.6s now remind me of my old speakers, but MORE in every way....if that makes sense?
Well, ForGet It.
Just rotate your panels IN PLACE. Put the pole piece facing you, the listener and the tweeters 'in'.
My brightness disappeared due to my now crossing the speakers axis behind my sitting position. I couldn't do this before without some funny (not funny, really) image artifacts or even a 'hole' in the center. Now, I have a much better image, no comb effects, smoother HF response, the resistors which I had on the table threatening to install are now put away and the sweet spot is MUCH wider.

Try it and get back to me.....pm if ya' gotta.

when i use my vtl amp on the magggies the treble and upper mids are well behaved. so, i conclude that it may be clipping issues or the solid state transistoritis in the treble when mated with panels, when playing loud, for me over 85 db is loud.